Habitat for Humanity of Kent County Recognized Among Top Habitat Producers Nationwide

Habitat for Humanity of Kent County has earned national recognition by securing a spot on the list of top-producing Habitat affiliates in the United States. Ranked number 41 out of 1,029 Habitat affiliates across the country, this achievement highlights Habitat Kent’s commitment to providing safe, decent, and affordable housing for families in their service area of Kent County and parts of Allegan and Ottawa Counties. The top-producers list includes Habitat affiliates who average at least 15 new homes annually over the past three years. Habitat Kent exceeded this benchmark, completing twenty-four homes in 2023, three in 2022 and twenty in 2021.

The journey to this achievement has been marked by significant milestones, including celebrating their 40th anniversary in 2023 and surpassing 500 homes constructed. In 2021, Habitat Kent completed the neighborhood-focused Roosevelt Park development. Over a decade in the making and executed in collaboration with multiple organizations, the initiative delivered 17 new homes alongside vital community amenities such as healthcare, education, and green spaces. Bringing that project to completion during the fallout of the COVID pandemic presented Habitat Kent an opportunity to reevaluate strategies and revitalize momentum. This work set the foundation for 24 homes built in 2023 and a forecasted 21 new homes in 2024.

Being on the top-producers list of Habitat affiliates in the country puts Habitat Kent in the ranks of well-known regions like Memphis, Indianapolis, and Austin.

“We are thrilled to be acknowledged as one of the leading Habitat affiliates in the country. This recognition not only highlights the dedication of our team but also presents a valuable opportunity for us to network with and learn from other high-performing affiliates. Habitat is about so much more than building homes. The work we do empowers families to thrive and become leaders in their communities.”

Bev Thiel, Executive Director, Kent County Habitat for Humanity

In addition to building homes, Habitat Kent is deeply committed to neighborhood engagement initiatives, recognizing the pivotal role of connected and empowered neighborhoods in fostering hope, opportunity, and stability. Through comprehensive programs aimed at education, support, and empowerment of community leaders, Habitat Kent nurtures vibrant and resilient neighborhoods. In addition, Habitat Kent is at the forefront of innovative building practices, utilizing environmentally sustainable building solutions such as all-electric homes to reduce the carbon footprint of residential construction and enhance affordability and safety for homeowners.

Michigan faces significant housing affordability challenges, with 1 in 8 households cost burdened for housing, which means their housing expenses exceed 30% of their income. Of those cost burdened households, nearly half are paying more than 50% of their income on housing. This forces them to make impossible choices between housing and things like food, transportation, and healthcare. Habitat Kent is one of 45 Habitat affiliates in Michigan working diligently to provide solutions to the affordable housing crisis. Habitat Kent’s proactive measures and collaborative efforts are instrumental in fostering opportunities for Michigan residents to access safe, dignified, and affordable housing.

As Bev Thiel said, Habitat is about so much more than building homes. It’s about providing opportunities for people to work toward stable, affordable housing for themselves and their families. We are proud of the commitment Habitat Kent has shown to empowering people who need ‘a hand up, not a handout’. Building 24 homes last year means 24 families in Kent County were provided the opportunity to work toward homeownership and purchase a home they can afford – a dream that may have remained only a dream until they partnered with Habitat.

For more information about Kent County Habitat for Humanity, visit their website or contact Sarah Hotchkiss at shotchkiss@habitatkent.org.

For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Michigan, contact Wendy Clow at wclow@habitatmichigan.org.